Bicester Chamber of Commerce chairman Peter Cox calls for nominations and entries for the 2018 Cherwell Business Awards.

IN the 2017 Cherwell Business Awards there were a great many entries from businesses nearby, or in, Bicester, and as one of the sponsors we were delighted to see the level on interest on show – then we came to the finals.

Finalists from the Bicester area were present in not less than seven categories and amazingly went on to be winners in six of them.

On the night we celebrated the following winners: The Hummingbird Centre, based in Launton, in the Charity and Community Award; Chris Maynard of Castle Minibus, based at the Bicester Innovation Centre picked up Business Person of the Year; Savoir Fare the lovely café in Garth Park, collected both the Micro Business Award and the New Business Award; Options Boutique, who can be found in Crown Walk, were presented with the Retail Award; John Nicholls (Trading) Ltd, who have a branch in Telford Road took away the Established Business Award.

All this showcased the businesses themselves and also Bicester and the surrounding places – and the opportunity is here now for others to follow in the footsteps of the 2017 winners.

This year there are nine categories and we would love to see at least one representative from the Bicester area in each and every one.

This year there are two ‘new’ categories – Workplace Wellbeing Award and Young Business Person of the Year Award – as well as the usual categories of: Innovation, Small Business, New Business, Micro Business, Established Business, Charity & Community and Business Person of the Year.

Full details on all the awards, the sponsors and how to enter can be found on their website via cherwellbusinessawards.co.uk and businesses can be nominated by third parties or self nominate, we would encourage any and all Bicester businesses to enter, even if you don’t win an award you will still win through what you learn along the way.

As well as committing to co-sponsor and help judge the Micro Business Award, along with Bicester Vision and the Wednesday Business Club, the volunteer members of the Chamber Executive have been actively voicing the concerns received from businesses at the Bicester Strategic Delivery Board, the Cherwell Local Strategic Partnership and the Bicester Traffic Advisory Committee, plus working with the Bicester Technology Studio School to boost employer engagement.

As we move towards the Christmas period we would take this opportunity to urge businesses to ensure that their staff, clients and suppliers are clear on the days they will be trading and make sure that those staff with additional challenges at home, be they illness, carers or what ever are adequately supported.

Maintaining the physical and mental well being of your self and your staff is at the centre of a sustainable and thriving business – hence the new category in the 2018 awards.

Bicester Chamber has been the consistent and constant voice for small businesses in the local area and town for many decades.

We are always pleased to hear from anyone interested in supporting our work and helping our volunteer team maintain all the activity that we undertake to make a positive difference for the town and local businesses.

You can contact us via bicesterchamber.co.uk